Metacritic Aggregate: 2022 Old Music: World

For information on what lists are consulted, and what the various abbreviations and notes mean, click here.

Reissues, compilations, vault music, etc. For new records, click here.

Sub-Lists

Some breakdowns by genre:

Ranking

  1. Africa Negra: Antologia Vol 1 (1981-95, Bongo Joe) {10}: PO:*, YW_r:9; pam_r:+, xcw:* -- TH:A-
  2. Kabaka International Guitar Band: Kabaka International Guitar Band (1977, Palenque) {9}: PO:*; xcw:* -- RC:A-, TH:***
  3. Folk and Great Tunes From Siberia and Far East (CPI Music) {9}: EWi:+, Rx:26, SpL:25; xbp:7, xtw:10 -- RC:A-
  4. Alhaji Waziri Oshomah: World Spirituality Classics 3: The Muslim Highlife of Alhaji Waziri Oshomah (Luaka Bop) {8}: pam_r:+, scw:*, xbf:2 -- TH:A-
  5. Freddy Roland Y Su Orquesta De Moda: Freddy Roland Y Su Orquesta De Moda (1968, Vampisoul) {8}: YW_r:3 -- TH:A-
  6. Essiebons Special 1973-1984: Ghana Music Power House (Analog Africa -21) {8}: C:*, Mj:*, RC:*, U:* -- A:(78/5), TH:A-
  7. BTS: Proof (Big Hit) {7}: AM:*, CS:*, PCr:+, Qt:*, RS:+*, SpL:30 -- A:(80/3)
  8. Joyce With Mauricio Moreno: Natureza (Far Out) {7}: JC_r:+, PO:*; ph:+, xrt:3 -- TH:**
  9. John Ondolo: Hypnotic Guitar of John Ondolo (1961-68, Mississippi) {6}: PO:*; pam_r:+ -- TH:A-
  10. Hermeto Pascoal E Grupo: Planetario Da Gavea (1981, Far Out) {5}: AAJ:*, JC:+, PO:*, Qt_r:37; jdsu:+
  11. Tinariwen: Kel Tinariwen (Wedge) {5}: -- AM:*, PM:*, PM_r:15; scw:*
  12. Celestine Ukwu and His Philosophers National: No Condition Is Permanent (1971-74, Mississippi) {5}: SpL:35; aqd:+ -- TH:***
  13. Crossroads Kenya: East African Benga and Rumba, 1980-1985 (No Wahala Sounds) {5}: xde:9 -- TH:A-
  14. Los Golden Boys: Cumbia De Juventud (Mississippi) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  15. Luciano Luciani Y Sus Mulatos: Mulata, Vamos A La Salsa (1970, Vampisoul) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  16. Pape Nziengui: Kadi Yombo (1989, Awesome Tapes From Africa) {4}: pam_r:+ -- TH:***
  17. Orchestre Volta-Jazz: Air Volta (1974-77, Numero Group) {4}: PO:*, YW_r:36 -- TH:**
  18. Asha Puthli: The Essential Asha Puthli (Mr Bongo) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  19. Lespri Ka: New Directions in Gwoka Music From Guadeloupe 1981-2010 (Seance Centre) {4}: PO:*; pam_r:+ -- TH:**
  20. Rise Jamaica! Jamaican Independence Special (Trojan) {4}: rte_jk:+ -- TH:***
  21. Under the Bridge () {4}: AM:*, Mj:*, Qt:*, U:* -- A:(85/2)
  22. Biluka Y Los Canibales: Leaf-Playing in Quito (1960-1965) (Honest Jon's) {3}: PO:* -- TH:**
  23. Emahoy Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou: Jerusalem () {3}: Qt_r:57; g_c:2
  24. Hermeto Pascoal: Hermeto (Far Out) {3}: JC_r:+, PO:*; jbo:+
  25. Lee Scratch Perry: King Scratch [Musical Masterpieces From the Upsetter Ark-ive] (Sanctuary) {3}: YW_r:17; tr_r:+
  26. A Chant About the Beauty of the Moon at Night: Hawaiian Steel Guitar Masters: Lost + Rare Performances 1913-1921 (Magnificent Sounds) {3}: BA:+, PO:*; yhe:+ -- TH:B
  27. Brasil Novo (Musica Macondo) {3}: xci:* -- TH:**
  28. Cumbia Sabrosa: Tropical Sound System Bangers From the Discos Fuentes Vaults 1961-1981 (Rocafort) {3}: PO:* -- TH:**
  29. Orchestre Massako: Orchestre Massako (1979-86, Analog Africa -EP) {2}: scw:* -- TH:*
  30. Rachid Taha: Arabic Hits () {2}: xeb:5
  31. Disco Reggae Rockers (1973-86, Soul Jazz) {2}: pam_r:+ -- TH:*
  32. Life Between Islands: Soundsystem Culture: Black Musical Expression in the UK 1973-2006 (Soul Jazz) {2}: bv_r:+, pam_r:
  33. Musicasion 4½ (Sonamos) {2}: PM_r:11
  34. Balka Sound: Balka Sound (Strut) {1}: pam_r:+
  35. Dadawah: Peace & Love: Wadadasow (Antarctica Starts Here) {1}: Qt_r:56
  36. The Disciples: Imperial Dub Vol 1 (Mania Dub) {1}: YW_r:47
  37. The Drive: Drive Unlimited (Gallo) {1}: pam_r:+
  38. Hamid El Shaeri: The SLAM! Years (1983-1988) (Habibi Funk) {1}: pam_r:+
  39. Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru: Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru (self-released) {1}: pam_r:+
  40. Abdel Halim Hafez: Mawood (WeWantSounds) {1}: pam_r:+
  41. Iftin Band: Mogadishu's Finest: The Al-Uruba Sessions (Ostinato) {1}: pam_r:+
  42. Fela Kuti: Roforofo Fight [50th Anniversary] (Partisan) {1}: pam_r:+
  43. Pedro Lima: Recordar E Viver: Antologia Vol 1 (Bongo Joe) {1}: YW_r:37
  44. Los Kenya: ¡Siempre Afro-Latino! (Olindo) {1}: pam_r:+
  45. Dumisani Maraire: Tichazomouana (Nyami Nyami) {1}: pam_r:+
  46. Marcos: Saudade (Groovie/Comets Coming) {1}: pam_r:+
  47. Astor Piazzolla: The American Clave Recordings (Nonesuch) {1}: YW_r:26
  48. Risco Connection: Risco Version (Strut) {1}: pam_r:+
  49. SE Rogie: Further Sounds of SE Rogie (Mississippi) {1}: pam_r:+
  50. SE Rogie: The Sounds of SE Rogie (Mississippi) {1}: pam_r:+
  51. Pluto Shervington: Rhythm of the City (Arabusta) {1}: pam_r:+
  52. Son Palenque: Trotamundos Del Sabor (Palenque) {1}: pam_r:+
  53. Idrissa Soumaoro/L'Eclipse De L'IJA: Le Tioko-Tioko (Mr Bongo) {1}: pam_r:+
  54. Viviano Torres Ane Swing: El Rey De Caribe (Palenque) {1}: pam_r:+
  55. Ndikho Xaba and the Natives: Ndikho Xaba and the Natives (1971, Mississippi) {1}: aqd:+
  56. Afro Psych: Journeys Into Psychedelic Africa 1972-1977 (Africa Seven) {1}: pam_r:+
  57. Atencao! Novos Sons Do Brasil (Aquarium Drunkard/ORG Music) {1}: aqd:+
  58. Benito 80: Novo Samba Sempre Novo () {1}: xrt:9
  59. Borga Revolution! Ghanaian Dance Music in the Digital Age Vol 1 (Kalita) {1}: pam_r:+
  60. From Lion Mountain: Traditional Music of Yeha, Ethiopia (Dust-to-Digital) {1}: PO:*
  61. Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds From Rio de Janiero (Sounds and Colours) {1}: PO:*
  62. Let's Stamp: 1950s Folk Dance Recordings From Bulgarian and Yugoslavian 78rpm Discs (Canary) {1}: PO:*
  63. Lovers Rock: The Soulful Sound of Romantic Reggae (Trojan) {1}: PO:*
  64. Sharayet El Disco (Arabesquo/WeWantSounds) {1}: pam_r:+